Bottom Line:
Histopathological study confirmed the result; moreover, there was a significant increase in serum liver biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, and Bilirubin) and the level of liver Malondialdehyde (MDA), accompanied by a significant decrease in the level of total protein and Albumin in the TAA control group when compared with that of the normal group.The high-dose treatment group (200 mg/kg) significantly restored the elevated liver function enzymes near to normal.This study revealed that 200 mg/kg extracts of O. stamineus exerted a hepatoprotective effect.

ABSTRACTOrthosiphon stamineus as medicinal plant is commonly used in Malaysia for treatment of hepatitis and jaundice; in this study, the ethanol extracts were applied to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects in a thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxic model in Sprague Dawley rats. Five groups of adult rats were arranged as follows: Group 1 (normal control group), Group 2 Thioacetamide (TAA) as positive control (hepatotoxic group), Group 3 Silymarin as a well-known standard drug (hepatoprotective group), and Groups 4 and 5 as high and low dose (treatment groups). After 60-day treatment, all rats were sacrificed. The hepatotoxic group showed a coarse granulation on the liver surface when compared to the smooth aspect observed on the liver surface of the other groups. Histopathological study confirmed the result; moreover, there was a significant increase in serum liver biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, and Bilirubin) and the level of liver Malondialdehyde (MDA), accompanied by a significant decrease in the level of total protein and Albumin in the TAA control group when compared with that of the normal group. The high-dose treatment group (200 mg/kg) significantly restored the elevated liver function enzymes near to normal. This study revealed that 200 mg/kg extracts of O. stamineus exerted a hepatoprotective effect.

fig1: Effect of TAA, Silymarin, and 200 mg/kg O. stamineus ethanolic extract on liver gross and histology in TAA-Induced liver cirrhosis rats after two-month treatments. Eight animals of each group were investigated.

Mentions:
Histopathological examination of liver sections of the normal group showed regular cellular architecture with distinct hepatic cells, sinusoidal spaces, and a central vein. The hepatocytes are polygonal cells with well preserved cytoplasm, nucleus with prominent nuclei. On the other hand, in the hepatotoxic positive control group, histological examination showed loss of architecture, inflammation, and congestion with cytoplasmic vacuolation, fatty change, sinusoidal dilatation, centrilobular necrosis, and displayed bundles of collagen surrounding the lobules, which resulted in huge fibrous septa and distorted tissue architecture. In O. stamineus-treated animals, liver sections showed mild inflammation and mild necrosis of hepatocytes with mild cytoplasmic vacuolation, and mostly no visible changes observed. Histopathological examination also showed good recovery of thioacetamide-induced necrosis by ethanolic extracts as compared to Silymarin. Animals treated with the low dose showed regeneration of hepatocytes surrounded by septa of fibrous tissue with a significant increase in bile ductules, fat storing cells, and Kupffer cells. Animals treated with the higher dose of plant extract showed remarkable histological regeneration compared to those of the LD group. They showed nearly ordinary patterns with an increase normal hepatocytes parenchyma and a reduced development of fibrous septa and lymphocyte infiltration. Results of the gross and histopathological examination are shown in the figures (Figure 1).

fig1: Effect of TAA, Silymarin, and 200 mg/kg O. stamineus ethanolic extract on liver gross and histology in TAA-Induced liver cirrhosis rats after two-month treatments. Eight animals of each group were investigated.

Mentions:
Histopathological examination of liver sections of the normal group showed regular cellular architecture with distinct hepatic cells, sinusoidal spaces, and a central vein. The hepatocytes are polygonal cells with well preserved cytoplasm, nucleus with prominent nuclei. On the other hand, in the hepatotoxic positive control group, histological examination showed loss of architecture, inflammation, and congestion with cytoplasmic vacuolation, fatty change, sinusoidal dilatation, centrilobular necrosis, and displayed bundles of collagen surrounding the lobules, which resulted in huge fibrous septa and distorted tissue architecture. In O. stamineus-treated animals, liver sections showed mild inflammation and mild necrosis of hepatocytes with mild cytoplasmic vacuolation, and mostly no visible changes observed. Histopathological examination also showed good recovery of thioacetamide-induced necrosis by ethanolic extracts as compared to Silymarin. Animals treated with the low dose showed regeneration of hepatocytes surrounded by septa of fibrous tissue with a significant increase in bile ductules, fat storing cells, and Kupffer cells. Animals treated with the higher dose of plant extract showed remarkable histological regeneration compared to those of the LD group. They showed nearly ordinary patterns with an increase normal hepatocytes parenchyma and a reduced development of fibrous septa and lymphocyte infiltration. Results of the gross and histopathological examination are shown in the figures (Figure 1).

Bottom Line:
Histopathological study confirmed the result; moreover, there was a significant increase in serum liver biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, and Bilirubin) and the level of liver Malondialdehyde (MDA), accompanied by a significant decrease in the level of total protein and Albumin in the TAA control group when compared with that of the normal group.The high-dose treatment group (200 mg/kg) significantly restored the elevated liver function enzymes near to normal.This study revealed that 200 mg/kg extracts of O. stamineus exerted a hepatoprotective effect.

ABSTRACTOrthosiphon stamineus as medicinal plant is commonly used in Malaysia for treatment of hepatitis and jaundice; in this study, the ethanol extracts were applied to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects in a thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxic model in Sprague Dawley rats. Five groups of adult rats were arranged as follows: Group 1 (normal control group), Group 2 Thioacetamide (TAA) as positive control (hepatotoxic group), Group 3 Silymarin as a well-known standard drug (hepatoprotective group), and Groups 4 and 5 as high and low dose (treatment groups). After 60-day treatment, all rats were sacrificed. The hepatotoxic group showed a coarse granulation on the liver surface when compared to the smooth aspect observed on the liver surface of the other groups. Histopathological study confirmed the result; moreover, there was a significant increase in serum liver biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, and Bilirubin) and the level of liver Malondialdehyde (MDA), accompanied by a significant decrease in the level of total protein and Albumin in the TAA control group when compared with that of the normal group. The high-dose treatment group (200 mg/kg) significantly restored the elevated liver function enzymes near to normal. This study revealed that 200 mg/kg extracts of O. stamineus exerted a hepatoprotective effect.